Monday, May 30, 2011

Young Adult: 359 PagesPublished: May 10th, 2011Publisher: Little Brown for Young ReadersSeries: NoneSource: Finished copy from publisherBuy the Book:AmazonFind the author: Website

When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is. At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose - between her "true love" and herself.

"We were grieving together, and in some way that felt right. Felt better. At least if I was going to be miserable, I wasn't going to be alone. At least he'd hurt himself, too."

I have read a few young adult books this year that focus around abuse and obsession. Stay by Deb Caletti and But I Love him by Amanda Grace just to name a couple. I have read articles that say these type of books are to "dark for teens". I, however completely disagree. These books may be on the dark side, but I am in full support of them. I think these are books that deserve to be written and published. These stories need to be told because the fact of the matter is...This stuff happens in real life! Now having said that, let's get on with the review.

I loved that Bitter End started from the very beginning. It gave me a great view of how Alex was before she met Cole, and how she dramatically transformed during the time of their relationship. The character cast was extremely well written and intense. I loved the "Terrible Three". Alex and her friends, Zack and Bethany were the ultimate best friends. What Alex couldn't get from her own family, she got from her friends. Zack was a total Swoon-worthy character. He was hilarious, protective and kind. The total package. Alex was a sweetheart, but was stuck under Cole's spell. There were so many times were I wanted to grab her and shake her. Snap her out of this horrible situation.

I love a book that brings so many emotions out of me. Even if hate is one them. I have never been so angered by a character in my life. Cole definitely makes it to my top 5 villains list, for sure! He is manipulative, controlling, and cold hearted. His character kept me on the edge of my seat because like Alex, I didn't know what mood or state of mind he would be in next. It made for a very suspenseful read!

This book was an emotional read, and a powerful one. Jennifer Brown did a wonderful job getting into the mind of a 17 year old, vulnerable girl. And also, getting into the mind of an abuser. Her writing style and character development was flawless. She crafted a gripping, raw and honest story. I would recommend this book to everyone I know, because simply, it is a story that should be read.

*Check out the awesome playlist Jennifer Brown created for Bitter EndHERE*

Friday, May 27, 2011

Question of the Week: "What book-to-movie adaption have you most liked? Which have you disliked?"

I loved Practical Magic, I thought the movie was sooo much better than the book. And I also loved The Notebook. Oh! And I have to throw in Girl, Interupted :P Which have I disliked? I just recently saw Beastly, and I liked the book so much more. I wasn't the biggest fan of the movie adaptation. I thought it was really rushed and skipped a lot of the books most important scenes.

Question of the Week: How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them?

I read about 1-2 books a week. Hard copies. I read e-books from time to time but not very often.

What does it mean to have a soul whose will to live knows no limits? This gripping psychological thriller establishes Martyn Bedford as a hot new literary talent for young adults. Friday, December 14th. Fourteen-year-old Alex rushes home that night to beat his curfew. The next morning, he wakes up in an unfamiliar house, in a different part of the country, and it's the middle of June. Six months seem to have disappeared overnight. The family at the breakfast table? Total strangers. And when Alex looks in the mirror, another boy — called Philip, or Flip — stares back. The race against the clock is on, and unless Alex finds out what's happened and how to get back to his own life, he'll be forever trapped in someone else's body and life.

I had such a blast reading Flip! It was a nice, refreshing change from the average young adult books that I have read.

Flip packs a lot of punch. It hooked me in from the very first page and didn't let me go. It delivers a compelling story while packaged in only 270 pages, making it a quick but gripping read! The premise alone is enough to draw you into the book; Waking up in someone else's body?! Whoa! Flip lived up to it's intriguing premise and simple cover. The deliverance of the story and the character development was flawless. It was fast-paced and riveting. The characters, especially Flip aka Alex were so bold and well written.

This book was full of so much greatness, that I am having a hard time reviewing it because I just want to rave about it, but I don't want to let any spoilers slip...Which is really hard! Plain and simple, Flip was awesome! Not being a big fan of Science Fiction, I was a little apprehensive about it but the book gave me a whole new look into the genre, one that I am eager to discover!

For fans of YA novels, I strongly recommend Flip, it adds a great twist to the Young Adult world!

First off, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me! It is a pleasure having you.

Thanks for having me!!! I always have way too much fun with these things.

Tell us 5 things about yourself.

1. I fell off a cliff once. The kicker to this is that I was taking a wilderness rescue course… learning how to save people who fall off cliffs.

2. I used to manage the national research center for Mad Cow disease in humans. My husband used to call me ‘Mad Cow,’ but only in public.

3. I don’t put my legs behind my head any more. See #3 for more details.

4. My minivan’s name is Helsing.

5. The other soccer moms think I’m weird. They don’t realize that I think this is a compliment.

Describe yourself in 3 words..

Completely, proudly crazycakes.

What is 'a day in the life of Carrie Harris' like?

I have three young children, so my days are pretty crazy. I play a lot of princess games and spend a couple hours a week on the sidelines of a soccer field. But I make an effort to surround myself with interesting people. That way when I start spouting off about zombies and werewolves and things, they don’t look at me funny or try to have me committed. This is why I’m married to a ninja doctor. My son idolizes Billy Idol. My daughters are the only four year olds I know who are well versed in the best ways to kill a zombie. My friends are the kinds of people who think Bacon Parties are completely normal, and when my in laws go on trips, they don’t bring me t-shirts. They bring me monster bracelets.

So whenever I’m feeling a little down or struggling for good ideas, there’s always something fun and strange and marvelous going on around me. Which is quite plainly AWESOME.

Bad Taste in Boys sounds fantastic, and so unique. What inspired you to write it?

I’m a huge monsterphile. Zombie movies in particular always crack me up, because movie characters never seem to have any problem believing that their neighbors are turning into zombies. Um, hello? Only crazy people think things like that. So I started off thinking I might want to do a book about a completely rational person who discovers a zombie virus. And then I started mashing it together with other ideas that I had floating around in my head, kind of like a math project gone completely whack-a-ding-hoy. So BAD TASTE IN BOYS is really

Frankensteinian weird science plus the undead football players from Beetlejuice divided by high school geekery.

If math books were more like that, I might have become a mathematician.

Describe the feeling you had when you first found out Bad Taste in Boys was going to be published.

When The Email finally came, I ran around the house screaming and then left a voice mail for my husband that said: “OhmygodcallmecallmeCALLMERIGHTNOW!” And then I put Thriller on and did the dance, because that’s obviously the best way to celebrate selling a zombie book.

About an hour later, I realized I should probably email my agent back. I went to my computer and found another email from her asking if the shock had killed me and did she need to call an ambulance.

Do you think you could survive a zombie apocalypse?

I’d TOTALLY survive. I mean, I’m an expert on the subject! Not only do I write monster books, but I have a ninja doctor husband. No, seriously. He has a fourth degree black belt in ninjutsu, and I’ve actually seen him knock shuriken out of the air with his hands. It’s surprisingly sexy.

Ahem. Anyway. I am not a black belt. I have a green belt, which means that I should be able to fall down without hurting myself, although sometimes I think that’s debatable. So my survival strategy is to stand behind my husband and yell helpful tips like, “GET IT IN THE HEAD! NO, IN THE HEAD!!!!”

What is your best 'Monster Math' Creation? Mine is a goblimum: Goblin + Mummy

I’d have to go with the one that started it all—the merpire. Merpires are mermaid/vampire hybrids, and they like to drag their baby pools into your bedroom at night to watch you sleep. SLOSH SLOSH SLOSH.

(That was me trying to do a sound effect. Pretty horrible, wasn’t it?)

Do you have any writing must haves? (i.e Snacks, music)

I can’t listen to music when I’m writing! I like to sing, even though I’m horrible at it, so I end up singing and dancing around like an idiot. Not writing. But I do require a steady supply of Diet Dr. Pepper. Honestly, I think if you cut me, I’d bleed DDP.

But you don’t need to test that if we meet, okay?

What is one guilty pleasure that you have?

DANCE MOVIES! I’m addicted to them. Generally, the plots suck rocks, and the acting is mostly suckish, but I don’t care. If it has dancing in it, I am THERE.

Are you working on anything now? If so, can you share a bit about it?

Well, right now I’m waiting on edits for my sequel, which is called BAD HAIR DAY and should be out sometime in summer 2012. It’s about werewolves and nanotechnology and blueberry flavoured astronauts and killer coconuts, and it makes me snarf things out my nose when I think about it. And I’ve just finished what I’m hoping will be my third book, which is set in a whole new world, only without Aladdin.

Now that song is stuck in my head. Serves me right.

Crazy Quiz

Time travel: Future or Past?

Past! I could actually get caught up on things if I could relive the same hour four or five times!

Coffee or Tea?

Neither? If it doesn’t come in a 2 liter and bubble when you open it, I don’t want it.

Day or Night?

Night. I am the lone night owl in a family of happy morning people. LIFE IS CRUEL.

Favourite film?

No way I can pick just one. Zombieland is my favorite zombie movie, and Center Stage is my favorite dance movie. If they combined the two, I’d be in HEAVEN. If you could be any monster creature what would you be? I’d be a Sparkly Merpire Princess. NATURALLY.

Thank you so much, Carrie! It was such a pleasure!

Thank YOU!

Hey fellow bookworms, lets have some fun! I want to see what kind of 'Monster Math' creations you can make! Share yourMonster Math in the comments. Craziness is allowed...infact, it's encouraged!

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

I absolutly love romance novels! And I especially love paranormal romance. Tara Hudson's Hereafter gave me the fix I was looking for. She took the paranormal genre and the romance genre, and put a great new twist on both!

What did it for me was the setting and the storyline. The characters were great as well, but I really fell in love with how visual and bold the book was. Tara Hudson took me from my couch, and planted me in the dark, paranormal world she created. I loved that the book wasn't all roses once Amelia and Joshua's story began, the author did a fantastic job at keeping the book dark, and mysterious and not letting the Romance aspect overwhelm. It was a refreshing change from the usual paranormal romance novels I come across.

The character development was crafted perfectly. The author doesn't fill the book with unnecessary details about each character. She introduced them and let their story unfold beautifully throughout the book.

Tara Hudson penned a great twist to the Paranormal Romance genre. Suspensful, mysterious, dark and of course, romantic. This book definitely satisfied my reading appetite!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Question of the Week: "If you were given the chance to spend one day in a fictional world (from a book), which book would it be from and what would that place be?"

Ohh, great question! There are so many! I have a two...The 16th century world that Caitlyn travels to in Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach. Although it isn't fictional, I would also love to travel back to The French Revolution era, that Andie time travels to from Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. I have a thing with Paris(even though I have never been) so travelling to any setting of Paris, fictional or not would be wonderful! :)

Question of the Week: It's circle time. Time for us to open up and share. Can you tell us FIVE quirky habits or things about you? We all have them...

1. I can't go through a day without quoting or referencing a movie or something from Family Guy

2. When I eat, I can't have ANY of my food touching each other on my plate.

3.I have an obsession with scented candles. Especially Vanilla Bean and Cinnamon Spice...Mmmm

4. My all time favourite movies are: The Goonies and Stand by Me.

5. I LOVE Video games. My favourite being Resident Evil 4 for the Wii. I've beat it countless times but still enjoy playing it.

Today is the last day to enter for a chance to win a copy of Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. Contest closes May 20th at 11:59. Click on the link above this post to enter. Good luck!

Happy Hoppin' friends! If you leave a comment, be sure to leave your blog link, so I can hop back!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

When Brooke's crush, Scott, moves from their suburban town to New York City, she decides to follow him there. Living with her formerly estranged dad and adapting to a new school are challenging, and things go from bad to worse when Brooke learns that Scott already has a girlfriend. But as she builds her new life, Brooke begins to discover a side of herself she never knew existed. And as she finds out, in the city that never sleeps, love can appear around any corner...

I was really looking forward to reading So Much Closer because I have heard great things about this author. However, this book didn't live up to my expectations.

I thought there would be more development with the story about the crush and the move to New York, but there wasn't at all. I couldn't believe that Brooke just up and left her best friends, and her school to follow a crush who barely knows who she was. I found Brooke irritating at times and a little immature. I've read books before where I wouldn't like the main character and have enjoyed them. But I didn't have one connection with any character at all. It was hard to identify, empathize and relate to any of the characters without even the smallest connection.

The overall storyline was alright, but there were a lot of gaps. For example, the subplot between Brooke and her father. I wish there was more development on that. This story had a lot of potential but unfortunately fell flat for me with the dull characters. However I did love the New York setting and the book's simple cover. Although this was my first book by Susane Colasanti, it won't be my last. I look forward to reading more of her work.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Crazy Bookworm is thrilled to welcome author, Tessa Gratton for a guest post!

WHAT TESSA DOES WHEN SHE ISN’T WRITING

- sleeps
- hangs upside down off of her bed
- walks her dog
- paces
- watches TV (preferably Criminal Minds or Lie to Me or FullMetal Alchemist)
- pretends she is a Fire Bender
- looks for new music
- goes dragon hunting
- listens to the wind
- stares at her computer
- reads
- reads
- reads
- hangs upside down again
- sleeps
- considers putting away the Christmas decorations
- folds laundry
- goes to the bakery for fresh rye bread
- sits in a coffee shop
- plays with eyeshadow
- memorizes poetry (preferably Shakespeare)
- travels to exotic places such as Wales or Australia or her mom’s house
- tries new food
- invents a new drink to name after her book

The thing about all the above things… they’re all about writing, too. Everything I do is about writing, even if I’m not sitting at my computer typing away. Watching TV teaches me about characters and stories. Reading obviously does. Memorizing poetry helps me understand the rhythm and flow of my own language. Hanging upside down re-arranges my internal organs for a while and shakes loose my imagination. And the BEST thing I can do for my writing is to have ADVENTURES. I travel, read crazy things, eat food I’ve never eaten before, meet new people. I get up from my desk and experience life.

If I want to meet a dragon, I go out and find where one might live. If I want to write about magic, I pretend for an afternoon that I’m a wizard hiding in plain sight. If I want to write about love, I jump off a cliff (or just stand there at the edge, feeling the hard wind and imagine what it would feel like to give myself over to the empty air).

Writing isn’t only what I do… it’s everything I do. And everything I do informs my stories. It gives me little details that ground my wild, magical stories in a reality everyone can understand and share.

In other words, when I’m not writing… I’m still writing.

TESSA GRATTON has wanted to be a paleontologist or a wizard since she was seven. She was too impatient to hunt dinosaurs, but is still searching for someone to teach her magic. After traveling the world with her military family, she acquired a BA (and the important parts of an MA) in Gender Studies, then settled down in Kansas with her partner, her cats, and her mutant dog. You can visit Tessa at tessagratton.com.Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

"Anything can happen in the blink of an eye. Anything at all. One. Two. Three. Blink" Pierce Olivieri

Abandon was my first Meg Cabot book, and I can happily say that I am big fan! I don't know why I have never picked up one of her books until now, because I have heard countless amazing things about her writing. And now I definitely see why.

Abandon is filled with heart-pounding, page-turning suspense. The way the author paced out the story was perfect. Her writing style let the story flow out beautifully, and let the magic sink in. Going into the book, I only knew the basics about the Persephone myth. After reading this book, and researching the Persephone story, I have fallen in love with the legend, and absolutely loved what Cabot did with it. Not knowing much about Greek Mythology this book introduced a whole new genre to me, one that I can't wait to explore.

The character cast was so entertaining. I loved John from the very beginning, I found him alluring and mysterious. He definitely earned a spot on my 'Favourite male characters' list. As for Pierce, I loved her! She was witty and a blast to read. I devoured this book because of it's hauntingly beautiful setting, great characters and interesting plot.

The second book to the series, Underworld is set to release in 2012. I can't wait to get my hands on that, and see what Meg Cabot has in store for Pierce, and the rest of the characters. Abandon is a fantastic introduction to this series. A must read!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

I can't believe it myself, but my book buying ban is still going! So I have no bought books, but I did receive 2 for review.

This page-turning debut novel will entice fans who like their paranormal romances dark and disturbing. It's a natural next-read for fans of Stephanie Meyer, Carrie Jones, and Becca Fitzpatrick. But instead of mythical creatures, blood magic has everything to do with primal human desires like power, wealth, and immortality.

Everywhere Silla Kennicott turns she sees blood. She can't stop thinking about her parents alleged murder-suicide. She is consumed by a book filled with spells that arrives mysteriously in the mail. The spells share one common ingredient: blood, and Silla is more than willing to cast a few. What's a little spilled blood if she can uncover the truth? And then there's Nick—the new guy at school who makes her pulse race. He has a few secrets of his own and is all too familiar with the lure of blood magic. Drawn together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick must find out who else in their small Missouri town knows their secret and will do anything to take the book and magic from Silla.

Tessa Gratton is stopping by the blog this week! Be sure to stop by and check that out.

A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.

Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet, a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.

Friday, May 13, 2011

On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi is gunned down by two Sikh bodyguards. The murder sparks riots in Delhi and for three days Sikh families are targeted and killed in retribution for the Prime Minister’s death. It is into this chaos that sixteen-year-old Maya and her Sikh father, Amar, arrive from their home in Canada. India’s political instability is the backdrop and catalyst for Maya’s awakening to the world. KARMA is the story of how a young woman, straddling two cultures and enduring personal loss, learns forgiveness, acceptance and love.

Karma was one of the most beautiful novels I have ever read. First off, look at the gorgeous cover(it is even prettier in person!) If the cover isn't enough to draw your attention, then open the first page, and read the first verse. You'll be hooked!

Cathy Ostlere penned such a compelling, magical novel. The words flowed flawlessly, jumping off the pages. It was lyrical and poetic. The book is written in Verse and in diary form. So it made it very easy to connect with the main character Maya. Who I adored. The author created such a gripping read, although the book is 528 pages, it is a quick read because you won't be able to put it down. The short but powerful verses/diary entries make for a perfect read!

Karma is one of those books that I would recommend to everyone. I don't think it should be missed! It is heart-wrenching and heart-warming all at the same time. Maya's journey to self discovery was unlike anything I have read. You know those rare gems I speak about from time to time? Well this is one of them! A truly beautiful book that I am so glad I got to read. 2011 has really proved itself to be a wonderful reading year, and we are only in May!

Question of the Week: "Are you going to Book Expo America (BEA) and/or the Book Blogger Convention (BBC) this year?"

Unfortunatly, no. I live in Canada, but I was hoping to make that trip, but can't this year. Fingers crossed for next year!

Question of the Week: The Blogger Apocalypse made me a little emotional. What is the most emotional scene in a book that you have read lately?

Hmm...This is a toughy. I recently just finished Karma by Cathy Ostlere(Review to come) and it was very emotional. It wasn't a paticular scene, the whole book had that effect. But I Love Himby Amanda Grace was another one that made me emotional.

Happy hopping everyone! My latest giveaway ends May 20th, so be sure to enter. It is linked up above. Have a great weekend!

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

The stunning cover and enticing premise was the main reason why I wanted to read this book. Once I opened the book and started reading, I knew I was going to love it. The Paris setting was enough to keep my interest. I have always had a love for Paris(even though I've never been...Yet!). Amy Plum captured the enchanting setting of France. Describing the beautiful streets, museums and cafes, she pulled me in to Kate's world and didn't let me go.

Character cast played a huge part in why I enjoyed this book so much. Kate was a strong willed character. She had to deal with the tragic death of both her parents, and then moving to Paris, leaving her friends behind. I bonded with Kate almost immediately. Vincent was another "wow" factor of this book. He was a wonderful character to read. The character cast provided a lot of entertainment throughout the entire book.

The writing style was simple, and flowed smoothly. Amy Plum did a beautiful job at pacing the story. There are a lot of Paranormal books out there but the author delivered an original, unique twist to the genre, offering a compelling read! I thought this was a fantastic introduction to a series. I can't wait to get my hands on book two!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

L.A. Weatherly was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She now lives with her husband in the UK, where she spends her days - and nights! - writing.

She has written several novels for teenagers, including Child X, which was shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award.
Angel is the first in a stunning new trilogy of books.

The second novel, Angel Fire will be available in October 2011, and the final novel, Angel Fever, will be out in October 2012.

Tell us 5 things about yourself

OK, here are 5 random things off the top of my head:

I'm from Little Rock, Arkansas, but have lived in England for almost 16 years now. It's all because of my English husband.

I am never argumentative. Nope. Never. I don't mind not getting my own way, either.

Alone of almost all the writers I know, my desk is extremely tidy. I like having a clear, uncluttered space to work in.

I love musicals with a passion. My favourite is Fiddler on the Roof; I've dragged my husband to far too many productions of it. He complains that all the Tevyes look the same. (He has a point.)

I'm a coffee snob, and ration myself to one mug of very good coffee daily, because otherwise I bounce off the walls. If the only coffee available isn't up to my standards, I'll pass and go looking for some good stuff. (It's the only coffee I'm getting all day! It has to be good!)

What is 'A day in the life of L.A. Weatherly' like?

Right now, it consists of getting up early to write ('early' might be three or four in the morning; I love writing when the rest of the world is asleep), then writing and writing until I've got a few thousand words done. Then worrying about my deadline for a while. Then answering some emails and playing on the internet for too long, then writing some more - lather, rinse, repeat. When I'm not so consumed with finishing up a project (I'm busy writing Angel Fire right now), my day also includes things like walking and cooking, both of which I really enjoy. Oh, and not doing housework. There's always a lot of not doing housework; I'm kind of a stickler about that.

What inspired you to make Angel Burn into a series?

The story and its world always seemed bigger to me than just one book - I knew what direction I wanted to go in, and how I could see the whole thing ending up. Of course, my ideas have actually changed quite a bit now that I've written book one - these things never stay written in stone!

Finish this sentence "I can't live without..."

Books. I live and breathe them.

If you could have dinner with any book character in history, who would it be and why?

I think I'd have to be hugely self-indulgent and have dinner with my own Alex, just because I've so in love with him at the minute (I'm sure he'll enjoy hanging out with a 43-year old - no, really, he will!) For a book character not my own - hmm. I think probably Aragorn from Lord of the Rings, because these books were so important to me as a child - they're really what introduced me to fantasy. And also because I'm picturing Viggo Mortensen, which makes me happy.

What was the best/hardest part of having your book published?

The main characters, Alex and Willow, have been in my head for a long time now - so the best part, without a doubt, was to know that these characters who I love so much are finally going out into the world. The hardest part was probably the stress involved. The book was written on a tight deadline for its initial UK publication, which was both good and bad - writing it was an amazing and intense experience, but it did sort of take over my life for a while!

What books are you looking forward to reading this year?

Oh, lots! I've been NOT reading anything dark or paranormal recently on purpose, out of a fear that it might be vaguely similar to what I'm doing, which can then throw you as you're trying to write. So my reading pile includes such gems as Shiver, The Hunger Games (I know, I know!), Dead Beautiful, Wicked Lovely - on and on. I've got lots of treats in store!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

My book buying ban is still in action(although I had to fight an EXTREME urge this week!) But I did receive 3 for review.

Hilarious new series from Queen of Teen – laugh your tights off at the (VERY) amateur dramatic antics of Talullah and her bonkers mates. Boys, snogging and bad acting guaranteed!

Picture the scene: Dother Hall performing arts college somewhere Up North, surrounded by rolling dales, bearded cheesemaking villagers (male and female) and wildlife of the squirrely-type. On the whole, it’s not quite the showbiz experience Tallulah was expecting… but once her mates turn up and they start their ‘FAME! I’m gonna liiiiive foreeeeeever, I’m gonna fill my tiiiiights’ summer course things are bound to perk up. Especially when the boys arrive. (When DO the boys arrive?) Six weeks of parent-free freedom. BOY freedom. Freedom of expression… cos it’s the THEATRE dahling, theatre!!

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

This one sounds like another great one!

Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

This book was a surprise in the mail. I didn't know anything about it until it came, but I can't wait to dig into it. Sounds awesome!

Meredith Willis is suspicious of Adrien, the new guy next door. When she dares to sneak a look into the windows of his house, she sees something in the cellar that makes her believe that Adrien might be more than just a creep—he may be an actual monster. But her sister, Heather, doesn’t share Meredith’s repulsion. Heather believes Adrien is the only guy who really understands her. In fact, she may be falling in love with him. When Adrien and Heather are cast as the leads in the school production of Romeo and Juliet, to Heather, it feels like fate. To Meredith, it feels like a bad omen. But if she tries to tear the couple apart, she could end up in the last place she’d ever want to be: the cellar. Can Meredith convince her sister that she’s dating the living dead before it’s too late for both of them?

Zombies! In case you haven't noticed yet, The Crazy Bookworm loves Zombies. And this book was no exception. Although a little more low key and not as intense as the typical zombie book. This novel still had a whole lot to offer. And was just enough to give me my Zombie fix.

Characters. Great character cast in this book. Adrien was like the Stefan Salvatore of zombie books. The second he walked into his first day at school, all the girls were swooning over him. Heather and Meredith are your typical high school girls, except they are dealing with heart ache. The death of their father, and each have their own way with coping.

I love this new "Zombies falling in love with living girls" trend that is happening. It offers a whole new look into the zombie genre, and I think offers the genre a different kind of audience. People who may shy away from Zombie books, may pick it up for a twist on a love story, and will discover that zombies aren't always horrible monsters. That the most undead creature can still be capable of love.

Thrilling, mysterious and romantic, this book kept me flipping through the pages dying to know what will happen next. The Cellar is the perfect mix of Zombie fiction and romance.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Question of the Week: "Which book blogger would you most like to meet in real life?"

This is a hard one because I have met so many fantastic bloggers! But I think I would have to choseLiz from Midnight Bloom Reads. We have "known" each other before either of us were book blogges, we each shared our love for The Twilight Saga over at the Chapters-Indigio community. I love her reviews, and we share the same taste in books. Also, she is Canadian, so the odds of us meeting some day at a book event are better. :) Check out her blog, it's awesome!

Question of the Week: Circle time! Time to share. What character in a book would you most like to be, what character in a book would you most like to date?

Ahh, come on! Two hard questions in a row?! Okay, I'm going to go with the obvious here, Bella Swan because she has Edward and got to kiss Jacob! As a character to date? Raphael from Wake Unto Me. He made my heart thump :P

Tonight was so much worse than anything before it. Tonight he didn't stop after the first slap.

At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved — and needed. Ann can't recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything — and everyone — in its path.

This evocative slideshow of flashbacks reveals a heartbreaking story of love gone terribly wrong.

"What do you do when the one person you want comfort from the most is the one who caused your pain? How can I want so desperatly for him to wrap me up in arms but also want so much for him to leave me alone?"

But I Love him is a sad and terrifying story about a girl stuck in a relationship of love and hate. Ann loves Connor fiercely, she will do anything to protect Connor from himself, but she doesn't interfere when it comes to her own protection. When their relationship is good, it's really good. Smiles, laughter, hugs and kisses. But when their relationship is bad...it's really bad. There is yelling, shoving, hitting and throwing.

What I loved about this book is the way the story was told. It was told in reverse chronological order, beginning with the end. An interview with Amanda Grace(at the end of the novel) explained the she chose to write the book that way because it removed the reader's ability to judge the protagonist. I couldn't agree more. I was able to sympathize with both characters. My heart ached for Ann as I was reading. She was losing herself in her relationship. There was no Connor and Ann, it was just different degree's of Connor. But I did sympathize with Connor because he had grown up with the physical and emotional abuse, and lacked that emotional connection with his mother and father.

I really loved this book. It's short chapters make it a quick read, but that doesn't take away from the connection you will develop with the characters and the story. It's raw and emotional, and will stay with you long after you've finished it.

But I Love Him is a book that I think all women should read. Unfortunately, it is a story that happens in real life far to often, but a story that should be told none the less. I highly recommend this book. You shouldn't miss it!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

﻿I write in a variety of genres such as paranormal (mostly time travel and reincarnation), contemporary, and suspense. While all my tales hold an element of romance, my books often push the envelope and step outside the boundaries of conventional romance. I live in the U.S. (west coast) with my husband, two kids, four dogs and one very temperamental feline.

When I released my first Indie-published book in July, 2010 (Crazy For You), I had high hopes but wasn’t expectant. I released several titles in the following months, and I can safely say the last thing I expected was that my sales numbers would top 30,000 in less than a year. My humble thanks goes out to all those readers who’ve bought one or more of my books. In appreciation, I’d like to give something back, so I’ve decided to do a giveaway for a new Kindle 3 along with a starter library from approximately 20 participating authors.

To be eligible for the new K3 and starter library, all anyone needs to do is follow along with the Incredible Dreams-K3 Blog Tour next month, May 4-30. The blog stops are listed at my website. At each stop, two or three questions will be posted about the participating authors (or their books) along with a link to where the answers can be found. At the end of the blog tour everyone who sends me (via email: sandra1(at)sandrawrites(dot)com) the correct answers to all the questions will be entered into a drawing for the Kindle 3 and a great starter library from the participating authors (approximately twenty books will be gifted to the winner). More info about the contest is available at my website.

Giveaway

The Crazy Bookworm is the first stop on the tour, here’s the questions for the “Incredible Dreams Kindle 3 Giveaway”:

1. In Cara Marsi’s Logan’s Redemption: What is Logan’s nickname for Doriana?

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

"Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now."

Divergent was a book that was taking the twitter and blogging universe by storm. I was dying to know what all the hype was about...Well now I know!

What a wicked debut novel! This book completely sucked me in, and did not let me go. I love books that pull me into it's reality and leave me pondering "What would I do?".

I don't even know where to begin with the stunning character cast. Each character was so vibrant, especially Tris. She is a strong, bold character but also deals with her own insecurities. She is a character that I immediatly fell in love with and enjoyed reading. Veronica Roth created such a vivid, mesmerizing world in Divergent. The entire book is one wild ride. There is blood, fighting, betrayal and romance...What's not to love?!

Theoriginal storyline is enough to pick up this book and give you a refreshing read. Divergentis a heart-pounding, thrilling debut novel! I can't wait to read more from Veronica Roth. She has me hooked!

Really what started it all was my love for books. Some people like video games, others like watching grass grow (yes, I do know someone) but me, I like reading stories that transport me into their plots. Books have never failed me. They pick me up when I'm down, make me laugh, cry, and so much more. So, when I got thinking of starting a blog, I thought maybe I could share my love for books and my thoughts about them with others. Then, if I'm lucky I can get to connect with others who share my passion. Low and behold my wish came true!

Tell us 5 things about yourself

Well, I don't know if I should tell people but I am very very afraid of clowns, like deathly afraid.

I am 15 years old and live in Canada. (Wait does that count as 2?)

I am an aunt to 7 neices and nephews.

My dream destination is Ireland or Greece.

I am a superhero by night; it's the internet, anything can be true.

Ok, ok, a final thing about me is that my favourite author is Janette Rallison.

If you could bring to life any book character in history and have dinner with them, who would it be and why?

Tough, I will go with Sherlock Holmes. That guy is a genious. He could help me find out who stole the last chocolate chip cookie after dinner! Assuming he didn't do it that is ---

Is there a book you could re-read over and over again?

There is a few that I could re-read. One is Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg.

If you could only keep 5 books from your bookshelf, which 5 would you keep?

Gak! Only 5?? Your killing me... lets see. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (loved the whole story), How To Take the Ex out of Ex-Boyfriend by Janette Rallison (for laughs, if I owned her other books, I would put them in the list too ), Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg (always good), Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (love the concept), and lastly, Across the Universe by Beth Revis (to look at the beautiful cover).

I'll have to go with the Narnia series, they did a nice job in my opinion.

Have you ever read a book that changed your opinion about something?

I think along the road, yes, I have. But do you think I can remember? The first thing that pops into my head is, Girl, Stolen by April Henry. This didn't change my opinion on anything but it did give me appreciation for what I have. It opened my eyes to how hard life is for a blind person. And all the changes they go through, if they're not born with it. Other than that I can't think of an-opinion-changer-book right now :/

Where is your favourite reading spot?

I'm pretty lame because I don't have one. I usually escape to my bedroom so I can get some peace and quiet to read.

Aside from reading and blogging, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love the outdoors and sports. In my spare time I like to pratice my gymnastics, photograph, bake, sketch, play soccer, and piano. I try and vary my activities, so those are the few I can think of :P

What are you reading now?

I am reading Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley. It's great so far :)

Welcome!

Hi! I'm Cathy and I'm the creator of this little space on the internet. By day, I am a Yoga instructor and by night I am an avid reader and a book blogger.

Like all book bloggers, I created this website to have a platform to rant or rave about the latest book I just read, book trends, and more! As much as this space is for me, it is for you! I work to better this little website every day so you enjoy your visit!